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Chamber
Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce Is the Primary Resource
Ron Shuff, 2007 chairman of the Williamson-Franklin Chamber of Commerce, and Nancy Conway, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer
The Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce is more than a resource for area businesses – it’s the heartbeat of the community.
“I don’t think people realize how much the chamber has helped create the quality of life we enjoy in Williamson County‚” says Ron Shuff‚ chairman of the Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce for 2007. “Many people think of the chamber as all business and economic development‚ but this chamber has been strongly involved in many other initiatives.”
The chamber played a role bringing the Cool Springs Conference Center here‚ for example‚ as well as establishing the Economic Development Council‚ bringing Columbia State Community College to Franklin‚ and implementing Crime Stoppers of Williamson County and the Character Under Construction program in public and private schools.
The chamber also had a hand in the recent completion of the Natchez Trace Parkway and the establishment of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“We consistently strive to promote and support projects that contribute to the quality of life we enjoy here‚” says Nancy Conway‚ president and chief executive officer of the Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce. “We would like to see more emphasis on higher education included in future endeavors to help Williamson County maintain its status as an exceptional community.”
Visitors value the chamber for its helpful Web site (www.williamson-franklinchamber.com)‚ which contains a wealth of information about Williamson County. The site received more than 3 million hits in 2006.
As the chamber’s membership pool diversifies and grows (it stands at 2‚000 members)‚ Conway says the staff looks forward to filling the needs of a changing global economy.
“It might be difficult to name the number of businesses located here that conduct business outside of United States‚” she says. “One example is Nissan North America‚ with headquarters here and locations in Japan.”
One big benefit of chamber membership is the networking opportunities it provides.
“We have a large number of mixers throughout the year and an annual banquet in March where we recognize business leaders‚” Shuff says. “And we had the 10th anniversary of our Annual Business Expo in the fall of 2006.”
The Annual Business Expo takes place at The Factory at Franklin in the fall. The evening includes food and drinks‚ door prizes‚ free product samples and socializing with other chamber members and business prospects.
In June 2007‚ The Factory at Franklin hosted a business-to-business conference called Tennessee Business Matchmaking that was offered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
The event was for the entire Middle Tennessee region‚ and its purpose was to match small and diversity businesses with federal‚ state and local government agencies and large corporations that have actual contract opportunities. The chamber was instrumental in bringing the conference to Franklin.
Shuff‚ a longtime chamber member and owner of Shuff’s Music‚ Shuff’s Piano Showroom and First Avenue Sound recording studio‚ says the chamber has been a valuable resource for him.
“Being in meetings with CEOs and CFOs of major industry‚ learning how they think‚ learning from their experiences and being around bright and industrious people on our chamber board and committees has been enlightening‚” Shuff says. “We’re fortunate to have a very diverse group of people who give back their time and expertise.”
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Brian McCord
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